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Joan BaxterHISTORYCOLUMNISTThere was a time when all the citizens of any given city were using water from their own wells. Each home had a well and at that time, an out house as well.Eventually, it seemed appropriate to provide water from a main source for all thesource which availableoncitizens. A would be demand, and not depend on individual wells.In 1886 John P. Martin, who was a manufacturer of water pumps, received a contractfrom the City of Xenia to develop a water system. He found good water, then when he ran out of funds to continue,Goodhuesold the contractand Birnieto second oldest in the United 1904, this time to Frank M.of States. Quite an accomplish-Springfield. Massachusetts. It was this firm which locatedtnent for a storage tank forwater which was conductedthe main water source for the of metal.city of Xenia at a plant at theWhen the Massachusettssite of the fish hatchery north firm began to “gear up” forof Xenia on Old SpringfieldPike.Goodhue and Birnie erected a 115 foot high water stand-the water supply for the cityof Xenia, George Coopercame to the city to superintend the construction. HeGreen of Washington D. C.Thus, although the water was supplied to residents as needed, this was still a privately owned venture, and not owned by local agents.Finally, in 1907, local investors acquired the permits and formed the Xenia Water Company. George Coopertwo stations. (one on Cincinnati Ave.) Keeping up the necessary pressure the entire time.The local newspaper reported an incident involving what was then known as the XeniaWater Company in October of 1892. A new housing additionwas being laid out by Henry Schmidt, and a street waspipe in 1887 on Patton Street, liked the city so well that he was retained as secretary-trea- being cut through the tractw hich w as designed to hold stayed on as general manager surer of the company and gen-approximately 270,000 gal- for the water company. eral manager The other offi-which would connect Dayton Avenue with Little Street. Theto get a cool drink of water.The fountain was rather unusual in that it was arrangedso that horses, humans anddogs could all benefit from the water provided at that one fountain, which was placed on East Main Street in front of the court house.The fountain was still there in 1947, with a plaque stating that the fountain had been placed in memory of A. G. Barber who had been a merchant in Xenia.By 1947, however, the horse watering trough which had been on the street side had been removed, the county had painted the ornate fountain again and again, and the city continued to provide the water which quenched the thirst of individuals. The fountain was turned off in freezing weather, however to protect it from damage. Although it was often painted silver, apparently the entire fountain was made of brass.Due to the design of the fountain, it was not considered at that time to be very sanitary, and a suggestion for a more modern, sanitary fountain was discussed, but the public health commissioner made note of the fact that he knew of no disease or epidemic which could be traced to the old fountain, though he, too advocated for a more modern, sanitary device.Also by this time, the public drinking fountains which had been at Main and DetroitIons of water for the city. This After fifteen years of opera- cers were George Little, pres- newspaper went on to say that Streets (in tront of what isparticular standpipe was rec- tion, the Goodhue and Birnieognized in 1994 as being one of the oldest still in use in the nation. It was ranked as being the oldest in Ohio, and thefirm sold their interests to Jones and Phillips ofident and C. E. Arbogust, vice president. Members of the board were M. L. Wolf and C.since one had to dig at least now (Lisis), and one locatedsixty feet to get water in this at ^*ve Points on C incinnatiparticular area of town, the Avenue were both out of com-Scranton, Pennsylvania. The L. Jobe . At this time a new Xenia Water Company decid- mission, awaiting new parts,water works was again sold in water source was selectednear Old Town, and the plantPikeed to lay a pipe from Dayton Avenue and on to the twowas houses which were then underwhich were becoming exceedingly hard to procure.Eventually, the fountainconstruction, thus they would was removed, but there areon Springfield closed.One of the largest advantages was that now water could be provided at fire hydrants. Previously, all water used for fighting fires had some from the fire cisternslocated throughout the city, or seemed an appropriate addi-by pumper trucks owned by tion to the city in 1905. This tains were also removed fromthe fire department.have “city water”. More houses were expected to be constructed in the addition, and would therefore be able to use the new system.many folks in Greene County who still have fond memories of that old fountain, and the cool water provided for man and beast on a hot summerA public drinking fountain day.And then, the other foun-To the great credit of thewas donated to the city by Mr. And Mrs. H. C. Dean and wasXenia Water Company, they placed in operation on a hot were able to supply a steady July day, which made the citi-stream of water to fight one of the biggest tires in the city,zens of the area most pleased.It seems that a crowd wasthe city streets. The fountain which had been located at Five Points is now at the Greene County Historical Society Museum.And so. Xenia, along withthat of the Eavey grocery in around the new device nearly other cities in the county, con-1908. Water was pumped con- all the day, and residents were tinues to enjoy clean, Ireshstantly for twelve hours from delighted w ith the opportunity water at the turn ot a spigot.
Newspaper Details
Xenia Gazette News Current
Xenia, Ohio, US
Wed, Jun 04, 2008
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Greene C.
OH, USA 16 Feb 2022
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Xenia Evening Gazette
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Morning Republican
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